Responsible Pet Ownership: What Buddy’s Story Teaches Us

 

 

Buddy’s journey from abandonment to emergency rescue, from FIV diagnosis to end-of-life care reveals the brutal consequences of neglect. His story isn’t rare. It’s a mirror held up to a larger problem: the casual disregard some people show toward the animals they once called family.

Responsible pet ownership isn’t complicated. But it is non-negotiable.

Here’s what it means:

Sterilize and Vaccinate

Unaltered cats like Buddy are more likely to roam, fight, and contract diseases like FIV. Neutering isn’t just population control it’s protection. Vaccination is basic care. Without it, cats are left vulnerable to preventable suffering.

Never Abandon

Moving is not an excuse. A housecat cannot “figure it out.” They don’t know where to find food, shelter, or safety. Abandonment is a death sentence disguised as indifference. If you can’t take your pet, rehome responsibly. Don’t leave them behind.

 Understand Their Needs

Cats aren’t low-maintenance accessories. They’re sentient beings with emotional and physical needs. Responsible ownership means learning about their health, behavior, and environment—and adapting to meet those needs, even when it’s inconvenient.

Commit for Life

Pets age. They get sick. They change. Responsible ownership means staying through the vet visits, the dietary changes, the mobility issues. It means loving them when they’re no longer “easy.”

Advocate and Educate

If you know better, speak up. Share stories like Buddy’s. Help others understand that ethical pet ownership isn’t optional it’s a moral responsibility. Every abandoned animal is a reflection of human failure. Every rescued one is a chance to do better.

Buddy didn’t choose his suffering. But he chose to survive. And we chose to love him through it.

If you’re reading this and you’ve ever wondered what responsible pet ownership looks like it looks like Buddy. It looks like showing up, even when it’s hard. It looks like love with no expiration date. Learn more about Buddy here 

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Buddy’s Story: From Abandonment to End-of-Life Care

 

In 2018, my husband and I rescued a cat who had been left behind when his owners moved away. They didn’t neuter him, didn’t vaccinate him and simply abandoned him to fend for himself. He was a young, unaltered male, pacing the porch of the empty house, meowing for the family that had vanished. 

We tried everything food, treats, gentle coaxing but he wouldn’t come near us. We set humane traps and caught a raccoon, a possum, even a fox. But not the cat. It wasn’t until after a brutal street fight that we found him, bloodied and dazed, at the side of the road. We rushed him to the emergency vet.

He had bite wounds across his body, deep facial scratches, blood in his eyes, and a ruptured eardrum. The vet suspected a head injury. We treated him with antibiotics and stitches, and while his external wounds healed, the internal ones never did. He was diagnosed with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and his vision and hearing were permanently compromised.

We named him Buddy.

Buddy sways when he walks. His depth perception is off. He struggles to get down from the sofa or his scratching post. Because of his disabilities, we knew he couldn’t be adopted out. He needed vigilant, lifelong care and we committed to giving it.

We eventually socialize him with Sam, our other FIV cat. Now both cats are part of our family.

Now, at age 9, Buddy has entered end-of-life care. He’s developed kidney disease, and we’re doing everything we can to support him. For an FIV-positive cat, this feels like a short life especially when our Siamese lived to 18. I believe Buddy’s decline stems from the neglect he endured in his early years: no sterilization, no vaccines, no protection.

He fought to survive. And in that fight, he contracted FIV.

Buddy’s Nutrition: Supporting a Fragile Body with Holistic Care

As Buddy’s health declined, we knew his nutrition had to do more than just sustain him it had to support his immune system, gut health, and overall vitality. Prescription kidney diets didn’t feel right for him. Instead, we chose a holistic approach that honors his individuality and needs.

We feed Buddy Solid Gold Indigo Moon, a gluten- and grain-free dry kibble crafted for kittens and adult cats alike. It’s ideal for active or immunocompromised cats thanks to its:

• 42% crude protein from cage-free chicken and whole eggs, supporting muscle tone and metabolism
• Low carbohydrate and high fiber content to ease digestion
• Prebiotics and live probiotics that nurture gut flora and bolster immune function
• Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, antioxidants, and superfoods that promote coat health and cellular resilience

This food has made a visible difference. Buddy’s coat is no longer dull. He’s gained weight. He’s more alert and engaged. For a cat with FIV and kidney disease, that’s a small miracle.

We also supplement his diet with Wellness canned food, which includes prebiotics and probiotics to further support his digestion and immunity. Together, these choices reflect our belief that nutrition is not just about survival it’s about dignity, comfort, and love.

Buddy may sway when he walks. His depth perception may be off. But he’s still here. Still loved. And still fighting.

Why We Tell Buddy’s Story

I will never understand why people abandon their cats when they move. Why they think a housecat will know where to go for food, shelter, or how to protect themselves from predators. Buddy’s story is a reminder: abandonment is not just cruel it’s catastrophic.

Housecats don’t know how to survive on the streets. They don’t know how to fight off predators or disease. And they shouldn’t have to.

Buddy deserved better. Now, he has it.

In Loving Memory of Sam A Siamese Soul Who Defied the Odds

 

Some stories begin with heartbreak and end with grace. Sam’s story is one of those.

When Sam first came into my life, he was a young Siamese cat with quiet eyes and a gentle spirit. A routine vet visit turned into a devastating diagnosis: FeLV. The veterinarian told me he was dying that the kindest thing would be to let him go.

But I saw something else. I saw life. I saw possibility. I said no.

I brought Sam home, had him neutered, gave him his shots, and surrounded him with love. Six weeks later, I had him retested. The results changed everything: Sam didn’t have FeLV. He had FIV a condition far more manageable with care and compassion.

From that moment on, Sam lived exclusively indoors with my three other cats. They adored each other, and because their bond was peaceful and affectionate, there was no risk of transmission. Sam thrived in their company, curled up in sunbeams, and quietly became the heart of our home.

He lived for nineteen beautiful years.

In his final weekend, Sam suffered a stroke. No veterinarian was available, so we did what love demands we made space for peace. We placed him gently on his bed, and one by one, his companions came to say goodbye. My dog lay beside him. Then the three cats joined, forming a circle of warmth and silent devotion.

Sam passed away surrounded by love.

He was cherished. He is missed. And he will always be remembered not for his diagnosis, but for his resilience, and the quiet way he taught us that love is the most powerful medicine of all.

Footnote:
Too often, FIV-positive cats are overlooked in shelters and rescues, dismissed as “sickly” or “short-lived.” Sam’s life is proof that this simply isn’t true. With proper care, a loving home, and a peaceful environment, FIV cats can live long, joyful lives just like Sam did. He shared nineteen beautiful years with me and his animal family, never once defined by his diagnosis. If you’re considering adoption, don’t pass up an FIV cat. You might just find your soulmate.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Cats

My Siamese Cat named Sam has Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) which is a common disease in Siamese cats.  PRA means that the cats will go blind over time. 

 

At first, we noticed that Sam seemed to not function well at night so we would turn on night lights in every room just so he could see where he was going.   We learned early on that if Sam had this disease that he would go blind and that there was no cure. 

We were told that blind cats can adapt well to the disease and as long as we did not move furniture, food bowls, water bowls or litter boxes.  To not make major changed to our home.

 

We were assured that our 18-year-old FIV cat named Sam would adapt and could life a full life and be a great kitty.  Sam would use scent to mark his way through the house and we always call him by name before we approach him as not to startle him. 

We have other cats and in our observation of them we can see that even our alpha cat Hairy a large Ragdoll seems to be caring when it comes to Sam.  We have seen Hairy grooming Sam and also backing away from the food bowl to allow Sam to eat. 

Sam has lived a very long life and we know that he is at the end of his life.  He is still eating, drinking and using his litter box.  He still sleeps at the foot of our bed and he still loves his catnip toy.  When it is Sam's time, he will let us know and we will take him to the veterinarian to be euthanized. But for now, he still has more kitty lives to live. 

Sam was rescued in 2008 when he was abandoned by his people who moved away.  He was skin and bones and was infected with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)

Long Life for 18 Year Old FIV Cat

 My rescued cat Sam was diagnosed with FIV in 2008. At the time he was approximately two years old which means he has lived a long life considering FIV negative cats life expectancy is 15 years. Know that we did not realize he was as old as he is, but found his medical records that noted he was older than we thought.

Sam photo age 16

Studies have shown that cats with FIV do have similar life spans to cats that do not have FIV.  My cat Sam showed no signs of FIV throughout his life.  He did develop normal old age symptoms like arthritis and now at age 18, he has some cognitive issues.

I would say that Sam is a lucky cat because many FIV-positive cats develop secondary infections including cancer and immune disorders.  My friend has an FIV can that is sick all the time.  Not Sam he has a stress-free life, and we have always provided him with high protein quality cat food. Fish oil supplements and probiotics to help boost his immune. Along with nutritious food, I think the fact that he is a happy cat with no stress has prevented him from getting seriously ill.

 

Sam having fun at age 15

When we rescued Sam we were told that FIV was highly contagious and that it could be easily spread to our other cats by sharing food, water, and litter box.  So we did take steps to keep Sam away from our other three cats.  Sam lived at my office for the first five years.  It was not until there were air-conditioning problems that I brought him to the house. There he resided in a cat room where I had my home office.

One day when we were not home, Sam got out of that room and became friends with my other cats.  When we arrived home we found him lying on our sofa with our other cats.  We freaked out. Took all of the cats in for an FIV test and all of the cats were negative.

From that day forward Sam lived in the main house with our other cats. FIV is not passed by sharing food or water dishes, nor is it passed from grooming, play fights, or scratches.  Not even sneezes will infect my cats with FIV.  The only thing that will cause my cats to get  FIV is a deep bloody bite wound.

 

Sam has developed cataracts  and has arthritis he is age 17 in this photo 

Many FIV cats never leave the shelters because which is sad because FIV is not a fatality. Many FIV cats can live a long life just like my cat Sam